Foundations matching charitable donations on Valentine’s Day

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On Valentine’s Day, Midwesterners can show a little extra love to local charities and have donations of $10 or more matched by Dakota Medical Foundation and Impact Foundation.

Giving Hearts Day is a 24-hour online fundraising event that matches donations to selected charities in North Dakota and Minnesota up to $4,000.

Five of the 140 charities participating in the fifth annual Giving Hearts Day have their headquarters in Jamestown or the surrounding communities, and many others, such as the American Red Cross, include local branches — such as the Buffalo Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross.

“Fargo was the only (Red Cross) location last year that was part of the Giving Hearts,” said NaDean Schroeder, regional communications officer and development coordinator for the American Red Cross. “We’re really excited to have this more regional opportunity for fundraising.”

This year, funds from Giving Hearts Day could be funneled to Jamestown, as well as three other Red Cross branches serving all of North Dakota and part of Minnesota.

“It’s a collaborative effort across the board,” said Beth DeWald, executive director of the Buffalo Valley Chapter.

There are plenty of other incentives to get people giving. The top seven online fundraisers will receive $20,000 to $1,500 extra, depending on how they place.

There will also be a few $500 incentive grants given to the nonprofit with donations from the most cities in North Dakota, the nonprofit that receives donations from the most U.S. states and the nonprofit that uses the most creative and effective marketing strategy for Giving Hearts Day.

In addition, the donor who makes the largest donation will get to choose a nonprofit to receive an additional grant, and the donor who contributes to the most nonprofits will, too.

The Impact Foundation is a nonprofit organization located in Fargo, and works with other nonprofits to provide them technical assistance, fundraising training, strategic and organizational planning and board and leadership training, said Jennifer Thompson, its director of development.

In previous years, donations reached $3 million, with an additional $1.2 million given as matches.

“It’s an easy way to give. It just requires a minimum donation of $10. People do not have to leave their house, because this is an online-only fundraising event,” Thompson said. “It’s just an easy way to help a lot of nonprofits continue the work they do.”

To contribute to Giving Hearts Day, visit www.impactgiveback.org on Valentine’s Day and donate to the participating nonprofit of your choice.

Sun reporter Kari Lucin can be reached at 701-952-8453

or by email at klucin@jamestownsun.com

Area nonprofits to benefit

Nonprofits with headquarters in the area include:

Anne Carlsen Center, Jamestown

Cooperstown Medical Center Foundation,

Cooperstown

Elks Camp Grassick, Dawson

Family Voices of North Dakota, Edgeley

FARRMS, Medina

Tags: local news, north dakota, news, charity